Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images Our staff somewhat-reluctantly find a way to grade Thybulle’s performance this season. Continuing our series where the Blazer’s Edge staff grades the 2023-24 roster, we reach a player whose grade varied through the season, which makes it complicated. Matisse Thybulle Position: Guard/ForwardSeason: 5th
Minutes: 22.9 per game in 65 games
Points: 5.4 per game, 8.6 per 36 minutes
Rebounds: 1.6 per game, 3.3 per 36
Steals: 1.7 per game, 2.7 per 36
Stats: Basketball Reference In his first full season in Portland, there was hope for some growth in Thybulle’s game, after he fell out of Philadelphia’s playoff rotation, despite his defensive reputation, and was eventually traded. At times, it looked promising: Having freshly re-signed with Portland for 3 years and just over $33 million, Matisse showed stretches with great three-point shooting, his long-time weakness, including 38.8% during his post-trade stint in Portland last season. But this season, he shot 34.6% from downtown, which is amazingly 1.1% points lower than his rookie season of 35.7%, where his lack of a three-point shot was a regular point of discussion. Overall, it’s his third-best (and worst) average over his five seasons. In a league where shooting efficiency is paramount, it’s still a big limitation. We asked some Blazer’s Edge staff members to grade Matisse Thybulle’s season. After nobody replied, we asked a second time. Grades will be given “on a curve”, and relative to the expectations for each player. Brandon Goldner Staff Writer
Blazers fan since 1989
First post at Blazer’s Edge: 2010, a Fanshot of the Blazers’ playoff pinwheel of success. Grade: C+ Portland knew what they were getting when they traded for Matisse Thybulle: a perennial All-Defense candidate who couldn’t stay on the floor for big minutes due to his offensive limitations. While his shooting from deep in Portland has been a tick better than his career averages on slightly higher volume, his effective field goal percentage this year (52%) is still lower than league average (55%), meaning that even on a team that had oodles of minutes to soak up, he was still a 20-minute-per-game player. Until and unless that changes, Thybulle will be more of an anomaly than a reliable, every-down defensive guard that the best version of this team would be grateful for. Adrian Bernecich Staff Writer
Blazers fan since mid-’90s
First post at Blazer’s Edge: 2015, about Victor Claver. Grade: B- Thybulle has shown he’s still one of the best team/help defenders in the NBA. The 26-year-old has resuscitated his reputation as a three point shooter in Portland this year and has shown an ability to put the ball on the floor and get downhill. He’s not a game a winner but a nice role player, particularly on a team still discovering its defensive identity. Cory Dickman Game Analysis Writer
Blazers fan since 1999
First post at Blazer’s Edge: 2023, analyzing a 5-point Magic loss. Grade: B+ Okay okay, I know you’re probably whoa…. How does Thybulle get a B+. Well, this is based on expectations and I think Thybulle did what he was asked to do and more this season. His impact on the court, especially on the defensive end had positive impacts on the young players. There were games where you could tell after he left the court, Henderson and Camara would keep up the pressure. At times, when the games were tough to watch, it was entertaining to see how many steals or deflections Thybulle would have. The three point shot was inconsistent but I believe that had more to do with the season going downhill and the Blazers not needing him. Joe Moore Game Analysis Writer
Blazers fan since
First post at Blazer’s Edge: 2020, when the Blazers picked CJ Elleby. Grade: B- Thybulle is a tough player to grade this season. His defense was stellar, which included a massive midseason stretch where he recorded a steal in 27 straight games. His ability to play the passing lanes and create fast breaks helped the Blazers get some easy offensive opportunities. However, on offense he regressed on his shooting percentages from the field and from deep. He was almost a non-factor on offense at times, and was not a reliable kickout option for drivers. However, his positives on defense outweigh his regression on offense for this season in my opinion.
Source: https://www.blazersedge.com/2024/4/28/2 ... e-thybulle